The Futures team have organised interviews for over 250 students from Business, Travel and Tourism, Product Design, Fashion and Graphic Design.

Interviewers have commented on what a massive difference it makes to students to have a mock interview, as you see students growing in confidence. The interviewers have been able to help students identify the skills they have gained through their time at College or in part time work.

Employers have seen the students’ shyness and lack of confidence and have really enjoyed playing a small part in overcoming this in preparation for their next steps.

Students have commented on how useful it has been to have a trial run at interviewing before applying for jobs, apprenticeships and university. Having someone there to talk them through their CV, help them identify and draw out skills that they have and may not even realise has been a huge confidence boost. The feedback about simple things like how to sit, what to wear and how not to dwell on negative factors have been invaluable to the mock interviewees.

For many students this was their first interview and to have members of the business community giving honest feedback makes a massive difference to them. Bath Building Society came away from one day wanting to interview a candidate for a vacancy they have and many others have gained confidence and new contacts.

Noel Broomfield from Bath Building Society commented: “It has been a pleasure for the society to be involved once again with the student interviews.

“Hopefully the experience will have been beneficial for the students who have come across very well, but also, for the society staff who have been involved.”

Event organiser Lucy Beattie, Employability Adviser at Bath College said that: “In talking to businesses throughout the year many commented that students who have had part time jobs or work experience, whether it is related to their course or not, have noticeably better confidence and communication skills.

“They are more able to communicate effectively and knowledgeably about their key employability skills and that is why we try to ensure all students get the opportunity to complete work experience and mock interviews with external interviewers.”